| Cardiovascular
diseases, Viscosity and MedicLights
Many
studies associate red blood cell aggregation and high
blood viscosity with cardiovascular diseases. By being
able to deal with these characteristics, the MediLights
Portable Light Therapy Device is a viable proposition
as a device to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular
diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attacks),
cerebrovascular disease, raised blood pressure (hypertension),
peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease,
congenital heart disease and heart failure.
Poor
blood viscosity, RBC aggregation and poor rheology either
independently or collectively, are linked to cardiovascular
diseases.1 Neumann et al claim that, “Plasma
viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were more predictive
of myocardial infarction (heart attack) than age, male
gender, fibrinogen concentration, abnormal ECG readings,
or coronary score.”2 Another study
confirms that high blood viscosity has been associated
with cardiovascular related diseases such as stroke,
heart attacks and deep vein thrombosis.3
These are in addition to relevant genetic variants that
are risk factors for heart diseases.4
We
can even quantify that the risk for heart attacks and
strokes increases by 342% in men with high blood pressure
based on high blood viscosity. Findings highlight the
role of blood viscosity in impairing microcirculation
and that a “vicious cycle” may exist in
which impaired microcirculation maintains, or even amplifies,
an initial increase in blood pressure that could lead
to cardiovascular problems.5
Other
studies also support the understanding that plasma and
blood viscosity, hematocrit and white cell count each
remain significantly associated with incident coronary
heart diseases.7
Not
all studies are lockstep in showing positive link between
blood properties and cardiovascular diseases. One study
was found to show that there was no connection between
blood’s mechanical properties and heart disease,
although it calls for more research.8
But
what are the mechanisms involved in high blood viscosity
affecting cardiovascular diseases?
The mechanisms of blood viscosity
effects on the risk for cardiovascular diseases
Blood
has non Newtonian fluid behavior. It does not behave
in a linear fashion. Once it gets moving and builds
momentum, it moves fast. Unlike water, which is Newtonian,
blood moves sluggishly at low speeds and is more liquid
at fast speeds. When the heart is resting between beats
(diastole) it becomes more viscous and then when the
heart forces blood out (systole) blood becomes less
viscous. Concentration of RBCs (hematocrit) and RBC
aggregation are two major determinants of blood viscosity.
Blood
viscosity is important because high blood viscosity
creates low shear stress. This means that in between
heart beats the blood thickens and swirls around, causing
eddies and turbulence. Turbulent blood flow progressively
damages the cells that line the arteries. As an analogy,
eddies and back currents in rivers form sandbars. Like
sandbars, plaque tends to deposit most heavily in the
low shear regions of the arteries. When the plaque builds
up, blood flow is further impeded, leading to more turbulence
and more plaque deposition. When the plaque deposition
reaches a critical stage, it becomes a major cause of
cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.
Excessive mass of RBCs can damage to the inner lining
of the blood vessel as they constantly bump against
the surface. This damage eventually leads to a plaque
formation in the form of a callus. Like the callus that
is formed in response to friction on the skin, it is
formed to protect the artery wall in the short term
at the expense of long term function. It also becomes
a gathering point for the build up of further plaque.
High
blood viscosity is also like a pressure wave with a
high peak. This contributes to injurious pulsatile blood
flow which damages the lining of the blood vessel, also
contributing to the formation of plaque.
Based
on the above, it is clear that reduced blood viscosity
should be the aim for most people. Not only will that
help reduce cardiovascular risk, it comes with other
benefits that include even preventing dementia and other
diseases and disorders.8
Hypertension
is more specifically addressed on a separate page.
The
Impact of the MedicLights Device
Based
on evidence, the MedicLights
Portable Light Therapy is found to be able reduce
blood viscosity. It is a viable proposition as a preventive
instrument for cardiovascular diseases.
References
1.
D Justo, N Mashav, Y Arbel, M Kinori, A Steinvil, M
Swartzon, B Molat, A Halkin, A Finkelstein, R Heruti,
S Banai., “Increased erythrocyte aggregation in
men with coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction.“,International
Journal of Impotence Research, 2009 Feb 26.
2.
F J Neumann, H A Katus, E Hoberg, P Roebruck, M Braun,
H M Haupt, H Tillmanns, and W Kübler,” Increased
plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation: indicators
of an unfavourable clinical outcome in patients with
unstable angina pectoris.” British Heart Journal,
1991 December; 66(6), pp 425–430.
3.
G Lowe, A Rumley, J Norrie, I Ford, J Shepherd, S Cobbe,
P Macfarlane, “Blood Rheology, Cardiovascular
Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Disease: The West of
Scotland Coronary Prevention Study”, Schattauer
Verlag, Stuttgart, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
2000; 84: pp 553–8
4.
Press release, “Researchers discover new genetic
variants associated with increased risk of srtroke”,
Eureka Alert, 15th April 2009 : http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-04/nhla-rdn041309.php.
5.
G Ciuffetti, G Schillaci, R Lombardini, M Pirro, G Vaudo,
E Mannarino, “Prognostic Impact of Low-Shear Whole
Blood Viscosity in Hypertensive Men”, European
Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2005:35(2), pp 93-98.
6.
G Lowe, A Rumley, J Norrie, I Ford, J Shepherd, S Cobbe,
P Macfarlane, “Blood Rheology, Cardiovascular
Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Disease: The West of
Scotland Coronary Prevention Study”, Schattauer
Verlag, Stuttgart, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis,
2000; 84: pp 553–8.
7.
“Is blood like your waistline – the thinner
the better?”, Harvard University Health Newsletter,
December 2005 Update: https://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update1205a.shtml.
8.
T A Dorman, K Kensey, Y Cho, “Benefits of reducing
whole blood viscosity for patients with angina and dementia
symptoms’, Alternative Therapies, (2008) 14 (4),
pp 48-51.
Back
to the top
|
